Police Chief John Tedesco: The truth behind crime stats in Troy

Although the criminal justice system is comprised of many component members, police departments are the entity most often held accountable for changes in crime, even though billions of dollars are expended on "innovative policing strategies," most of which will fail because the genesis of the crime problem remains elusive. As such, crime rates alone are not valid measures of a police department's effectiveness.

Recent outcries about the "rising crime rate" in Troy have been grossly exaggerated. Six homicides, four of which were committed by firearms, occurred in Troy in 2012. These crimes generated copious media attention, especially when juxtaposed to 2011 when no homicides were reported. The media attention acted in concert with endless political discourse to create a confluence resulting in a confounded interpretation of the true statistics regarding crime in the City of Troy. In turn, the efforts of the men and women serving in the Troy Police Department have not received its due. Efforts that contributed to making the City of Troy a safe place to live, work or visit.

Has overall crime increased in Troy in the past year? Yes, by 0.6 percent. Over the past five years crime has increased by 0.5 percent. Yet violent crime in 2012 as compared to 2011 has decreased by 1 percent, and decreased by 11.2 percent over the past five years. Compared to 2011, the efforts of Troy's police officers contributed to a 34.8 percent reduction in rapes; a 0.9 percent reduction in robberies; and a 14.4 percent reduction in domestic assaults. There were also corresponding decreases in each of these categories over the past five years.

Property crimes (burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft) are the only category that increased from 2011 to 2012; although within this category burglaries also decreased by 23.5 percent as compared to 2011. In view of the 1 percent in motor vehicle thefts and 16.2 percent increase in larcenies, it is readily apparent that the less than 1 percent increase in overall crime is attributable to larcenies, not violent crimes. Statistics supporting this conclusion show that more people were injured by firearms in 2011 (4) than 2012 (11), although 2012 had one additional shooting than 2011. Hopefully, programs that have proven worthy in other jurisdictions will be supported in 2013 to combat the larceny issue.

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In the Sunday issue of The Record, Council President Lynn Kopka wrote that she desires a strategic assignment of police officers. I couldn't agree more. In 2012, the strategic assignment of officers based upon intelligence garnered through investigative efforts and information gleaned from citizens assisted in the reduction of violent crime in 2012. Assisted being an operative term as many of the variables affecting crime rates remain elusive.

Debate continues on what constitutes effective responses to the "war on crime." However, most criminologists agree that no strategy will be effective if it neglects the importance of the relationship between the police and the citizens they serve. For example, during a 2011 burglary spree in Lansingburgh, community members were constantly being advised to report anything suspicious. Their assistance contributed greatly to the reductions in burglary previously cited. As I tell all community groups, "you know your neighborhood best -- if your instincts indicate something is wrong, it probably is." Please remember that what you may consider trivial may have a beneficial impact on an investigation that you are not even aware of. Let the officers decide the value of your information.

In closing, expectations are that violent crime will continue to decrease as indicated by national trends and the incarceration of several of Troy's more notorious "shooters." Also, I thank the members of the Troy Police Department for their efforts during a turbulent year, especially Capt. Dan DeWolf for his efforts at coordinating many of the successful initiatives that were under taken in 2012. I also thank each of you for supporting your officers during a difficult time.